Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
“We are leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning,” said Kabir.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Kabir said that they were leaving for Singapore the next morning.
Changes required:
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Conjunction: The inverted commas are removed and the conjunction “that” is inserted to introduce the reported speech.
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Verb: “Are leaving” (present continuous) changes to “were leaving” (past continuous) as per the backshifting rule.
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Tense: The reporting verb “said” is in the past tense, so the present continuous “are leaving” changes to past continuous “were leaving.”
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Pronoun: “We” (used by Kabir and others) changes to “they” in indirect speech.
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Time expression: “Tomorrow morning” changes to “the next morning” in reported speech.
Converted sentence: Kabir said that they were leaving for Singapore the next morning.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.